The Background on Background Checks
In one of my past lives I held a Top Secret clearance as a Civil Service employee working for the Air Force. So I am familiar with background checks. But many job seekers are not. Here's a little background on background checks...
More companies are doing background checks on potential employees these days than ever before. Why? Here are justa few of the reasons:
1. Studies show that 30-40% of all job applicants put false information on their resumes or applications, and "exaggerate" their qualifications during interviews. Can you blame employers for wanting to verify claims made by desperate job seekers?
2. Lawsuits for "negligent hiring" are on the rise. If an employee's actions hurt someone, the employer may be liable. So when considering an applicant, it's in the company's best financial self-interest to find out if that person has done anything in the past which might indicate future problems.
3. Child abuse and abductions have resulted in new laws in almost every state that require criminal background checks for anyone who works with children.
4. The September 11th attacks have resulted in heightened security and identity-verification strategies by many employers.
5. In addition, many state and federal government jobs require a background check, and depending on the kind of job, may require an extensive investigation for a security clearance.
So there are several reasons why employers perform background checks.
Under federal law, the employer must obtain the applicant's written authorization before the background check is conducted.
The types of background checks companies do usually depends on the job, but they typically include the following:
Employment Verification
Often a potential employer will contact an applicant's past employers. Many states have laws which prohibit employers from intentionally interfering with former employees' attempts to find jobs by giving out false or misleading references, but a former boss can say anything TRUTHFUL about your performance. However, most companies have a policy to only confirm dates of employment, final salary, and other limited information.
Education Verification
This is done to verify degrees and certifications listed on resumes or applications. Under federal law, specific records such as transcripts and discipline records are confidential and will not be released by schools without the authorization of the student. However, a school may release "directory information," which can include name, address, dates of attendance and degrees earned.
Drug Screening
Many large corporations have a policy to drug-screen all potential employees prior to starting. In this situation, the job offer is contingent on you successfully passing the drug screen.
Credit Checks
This type of check (sometimes called a "consumer report") is most often done by companies where employees have access to money, sensitive personal and financial information. Some employers also use your credit history to gauge your level of responsibility (they believe if you are not reliable in paying your bills, then you will not be a reliable employee).
In addition to your payment history, a credit report typically includes information about your former addresses and previous employers. Employers can use this as one way to verify the accuracy of information you provide on an application or resume.
Federal law prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants because they have filed for bankruptcy.
Criminal and Motor Vehicle Records
These types of background checks are not as common but some companies have a policy of checking criminal records. Although arrest information is a matter of public record, in most states employers cannot normally access the arrest record of a potential employee (there are some exceptions, such as for law enforcement positions). If the arrest resulted in a conviction, that information can be obtained. In general, civil suits, civil judgments, and records of arrest more than seven years old are not reported (the seven-year limit may not apply to criminal convictions, depending on your state).
Companies check motor vehicle records when positions involve the operation of company vehicles and equipment.
Employment Application Accuracy
Some companies verify the accuracy of the information you provided on the employment application, including what you listed as your most recent salary. When you complete the application make sure all information is accurate.
What Can You Do to Prepare?
Take the following steps to reduce the chances that you and/or the potential employer will be "surprised" by information found during the background check:
1. Order a copy of your credit report. If there is something you do not recognize or that you disagree with, dispute the information with the creditor and/or credit bureau before you have to explain it to the interviewer.
2. Check court records. If you have an arrest record or have been involved in court cases, go to the county where this took place and inspect the files. Make sure the information is correct and up to date.
3. Check DMV records. Request a copy of your driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, especially if you are applying for a job that involves driving.
4. Do your own background check. If you want to see what an employer's background check might uncover, hire a company that specializes in such reports to conduct one for you. That way, you can discover if the data bases ofinformation vendors contain inaccurate information. Consult the Yellow Pages under "Investigators," or use one of the many online search services to find a service.
5. Ask if your former employer has a policy about the release of personnel and/or employment information. Most companies limit the amount of information they disclose.
Remember, potential employers can't conduct a background check without your written authorization. You can "just say no." Of course, doing that would give the impression that you have something to hide and almost certainly eliminate you from consideration.
Just be honest about your background. Many employers will hire good candidates that fit their needs even if their backgrounds are less than perfect -- as long as they didn't lie about it.
Bonnie Lowe is author of the popular Job Interview Success System and free information-packed ezine, "Career-Life Times." Find those and other powerful career-building resources and tips at her website: http://www.best-interview-strategies.com.
 Google News Updated : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:06:59 GMT Use of 'Barracuda' for Sarah Palin nets GOP a Heart attack - New York Daily News New York Daily News - BY NANCY DILLON They put the "amp" in campaign and get voters tapping their toes to the ballot box - but hit songs can be tricky territory for political campaigns. Heart Wants To Be Ripped Out Of Republicans’ Campaign Wilson sisters slam GOP's use of Heart's "Barracuda" Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:19:34 GMT Dell May Shrink Its Network of Factories - New York Times
New York Times - By STEVE LOHR Dell, in a government filing this week, strongly suggested that it planned to shrink its network of factories as part of the computer company’s drive to reduce costs. Dell Trades Factories For Money WSJ: Dell could sell off Winston-Salem plants Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:57:22 GMT NetSuite Says Chrome-optimized Apps Are Flying - PC World
PC World - It was in line with the likelihood of summer following spring that somebody would declare an application optimized for Google's Chrome, the new web browser that has dominated the geekier end of technology news this week. Google Chrome Hit With Another Security Bug NetSuite boasts of Google Chrome support Publ.Date : Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:39:42 GMT Palins on move The Palin story . . . - Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times - Sarah Palin and her hubby, Todd, went separate ways Thursday night after John McCain's speech. • • To wit: While Sarah Palin headed with McCain to Cedarburg, Wisc. Poll on Palin: GOP likes her, Dems don't Sarah Palin will be missing from action Sunday am Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:07:37 GMT MTV's VMAs: DOA? - E! Online E! Online - MTV's Video Music Awards are this weekend, and we're lukewarm on the whole affair. Russell Brand as the host? We've only seen this Brit bloke once before, in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which feels like eons ago, and those VMA commercials costarring ... Kanye West to Close Video Music Awards Russell Brand looks to make big splash as VMA host Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:32:57 GMT McCain pledges change, touts experience in convention address - Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press - ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Preaching a message of bipartisanship and insisting he's the man to throw the "me-first, country-second" crowd out of Washington, a buoyant John McCain steered his Straight Talk Express into its biggest berth ever Thursday night ... Video: McCain Vs. Obama: Got Change? Reuters Politics Summary Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:41:29 GMT Serena, Jankovic will duel in final - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - By Cindy Shmerler NEW YORK - Maybe someone put a Whoopie Cushion on Richard Williams's chair. Because there he was, jumping up and down after every point, high-fiving everyone around him. Video: Serena Williams Tries for 3rd US Open Title Williams has edge in semis Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:34:34 GMT Add RSS Feeds to My Website |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... It's never too early to update your resume, even if... Read More I generally shy away from using the word "networking" when... Read More Searching for jobs online is easier than ever, but also... Read More Obviously, there are RIGHT ways to move UP the ladder.... Read More For those who are looking for a career as a... Read More Many well qualified and extremely able candidates fail at job... Read More You're a scientist, you're very well educated, you're intelligent, and... Read More Just like the late, great Rodney Dangerfield, the "humble" cover... Read More My table-mates introduced themselves as the reciprocal protocol began. We... Read More In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some... Read More For those who are fluent in another language, foreign language... Read More "To love what you do and feel that it matters,... Read More If you're looking for that promotion or pay rise then... Read More Ever hear the story of the two masons working side... Read More This is one of those broad questions that can take... Read More 1. You're eavesdropping and you hear your boss has reservations... Read More Ohio has always been big on education and that means... Read More 1. Start with an attractive layout. Use bold and italics... Read More 1.Define your objective: Know what kind of work you most... Read More Make sure that your resume is up to date with... Read More Most job seekers know that an unprofessional appearance will count... Read More There is no easy way to define exactly what editors,... Read More Career experts say that people will change careers (not jobs)... Read More So here you are?stuck in a dead end job. Are... Read More Q. For my second career, I'd like to know "What... Read More
Adsense
websites
Resumes That Rock (16 Expert Tips)
Three Tips for Successful Networking
Searching for Jobs Online
Youre Bright And Talented -- TooT Your Own Horn --
How Can Qualifications Help Your Proof Reading Career?
The Secrets to Interview Success
How to Write a Scientific Resume
7 Secrets of a Highly-Effective Resume Cover Letter
What Did You Say?
Layoff Survival Guide - Do You Have The Career Management Horsepower It Will Take To Survive?
How You Can Find Opportunities For Foreign Language Proof Reading Work
Love What You Do!
How To Get That Promotion
Get Beyond Your Tasks
Why Should We Hire You?
50 Things To Do To Your Boss That Are Fun For You, But Not For Them
College Labor is Available in Ohio
10 Tips For Writing A Professional Résumé
How To Conduct A Successful Job Search Campaign
Resume Writing Tips
Six Factors That Can Cost You the Interview/Job
You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression
The 6 Stages of Modern Career Development
Leave Your Dead End Job?For Good!
For My Second Career, I Want to Do Nothing!
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Freelance Work: The Changing Face of Employment
The world sure is changing, and if you look at... Read More
Unemployment Survival: Creating a Sense of Security
In a time of economic downturn, international turmoil, company restructuring... Read More
Finding a Job Under Tough Circumstances
Anyone can find a job. That's right, I said "anyone".... Read More
How to Make Your Career Change Easier
Despite what your grandmother told you, life is not supposed... Read More
Revitalize Your Recruiting for 2005
Happy New Year! The forecasts are in agreement: Hiring is... Read More
Intuition: The Secret To Your Career Success
For far too long, we moderns have relied on our... Read More
Feedback: Take It or Leave It ... But Get It
The expense was substantial. An immersion workshop with twelve participants... Read More
Independent RN Contractors Are Taking The Nursing Profession
Nurses wake up and take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.... Read More
Can You Tell Me Something About Yourself!
Interview Question, "Tell Me Something About Yourself?""Tell me about yourself"... Read More
5 Tips for Customizing your Resume
Gone are the days of the bland, generic one-page resume.... Read More
Does Your Resume Have What It Takes To Survive The First Cut?
Qualifications" or "Personal Profile") uses bullets and succinct wording to... Read More
When Your Job Goes Away: Seven Tips
Q. "What do I do after a job goes away?"A.... Read More
Searching for Jobs Online
Searching for jobs online is easier than ever, but also... Read More
Why Bachelors Make Bad Decisions: Five Tips to Move from Reality Television to Your Career Change
The Bachelor is one of the many reality shows that... Read More
Career Discovery - Pinpoint Your Ideal Career
Determine your ideal career--one that's in alignment with your values,... Read More
How To Find Your Dream Job
Here's the bottom line: many people work in jobs that... Read More
Career Killers to Avoid
Many professionals and managers are so involved in day-to-day crises... Read More
Staying In Shape
Why Lawyers Should Eat Bananas by Simon Tupman is a... Read More
For My Second Career, I Want to Do Nothing!
Q. For my second career, I'd like to know "What... Read More
To Get Hired or Get Promoted, Attitude Is The Key
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what... Read More
From Bumbling Bosses to Cranky Co-Workers ? How to Overcome What Makes You Hate Your Job
I'll be the first to admit that I hated my... Read More
History Reports: When Your Resume Equals, I Did This, I Did This, I Did This
Do these sound familiar?"I worked for?" "My responsibilities were?"... Read More
Becoming A Police Officer Just Became Easier
As many law enforcement candidates can vouch for, taking the... Read More
Job Hunting Tips: Taking Care of Yourself
Looking for work is generally a miserable undertaking. No matter... Read More
3 Ways To Succeed On Your First Job (Or Any Job)
You've heard the real estate cliché: the three factors that... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |